NRPG: I'm goiing to be gone from Saturday until Tuesday, so I'm 
wrapping up a few posts. I'm going to stretch, pinch, and otherwise
mutilate time for my needs, so please don't count Ash's actions in 
timelines. If it seems strange that he does a couple week's worth of 
stuff in two or three day's time, well, them's the breaks :)

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The cool liquid splashed down his throat, slacking his thirst instantly. 
For some reason, teleporting always made him thirsty. Ash put down
the glass and stared at the piggish eyes of the huge Lord sitting across
from him. 

"Your hospitality is, of course, greatly appreciated."

"I must admit, once I heard that you were outside my gates begging 
entrance, I was going to give you a much frostier reception." Eowith's
eyes bored into his. "You've caused me a lot of trouble in the past.
I was going to have you killed, you know."

Ash's eyes flashed in return. "You would have found such an
undertaking...expensive. Not nearly as profitable as what I'm offering."
He shrugged. "I accept the fortunes of war. You should put it behind 
you, also."

"That's the meat of the matter, isn't it?" Eowith replied. His sagging jowls
shook with mirth as he considered his simile. "You promised profit. Let's
hear what you've got in mind."

"I propose to give you a holding to plunder at your will."

The fat Lord raised an eyebrow. "And what holding is this?"

"Patka's."

Eowith laughed heartily. "Of course! And while you're at it, why not 
sack Ralengarde? It's not too far." Abruptly, his laughter stopped. "You're
crazy. Why should you attack a place you used to defend? What makes
you think you can win? Lastly, why do you think I would support that?
What do you want from me?"

"Isn't it obvious? I want troops. I intend to break Patka, and once I'm
done he'll be at your mercy. You know I can do it. I've done it to you often
enough." 

Eowith raised a hand against the sudden upsurge of troops at Ash's
back. "Hold!" he said. "Why do you do this?"

"Patka *didn't* accept the fortunes of war," Ash replied. "He's attacked
me, and I won't stand for it. He'll pay a price for his actions, a price that
you can profit from."

"What makes you think I have an army to give you?"

Ash'chenon chuckled. "You have an army on the border right now, 
staging raids. I've seen them. Patka's son has improved a bit in his
tactics, but he still is ineffective in stopping you. I want those troops."

"I don't like this. Total defeat is different than a few raids. I don't want to 
bring the King down on my head."

"You two have been at it for years and years. You both have plenty of
reason for this. The king will look the other way. Personal vendettas and
those of their houses are still recognized by the Crown. You both have
rights under landbound law."

"I think you're too smart for your own good," Eowith said. "All right, I'm
interested. I do want to see Patka's head on a pole. What I want to know
is, what do you get out of this?"

"Revenge. Satisfaction. It's that simple."

"And profit?"

"What is profit to me? I'm a..." Ash cut himself short before saying 
'dragonrider'. "...military man, not a merchant."

"All right. I have to think on this. I'll give you my answer later. Where can
I contact you?"

"The Curved Talon Inn, in town. Leave word there." 

"Done." The small porcine eyes followed him out. 

A man in silk robes stepped forward immediately upon Ash's departure.
"Don't trust him! Gods! How can he think that- "

"I am going to accept his offer," Eowith said. "The promise of fortune is
great, and the risk small."

"Small? He wants an army! For all we know, he could turn it around and
attack us!"

"Unlikely. He has a real score to settle with Patka. I want to know what
it is. Find out for me." The robed man nodded. "We can wield him, like 
a sword. He can be useful to us...and discarded when no longer needed.
Do you understand?"

"The treacherous sword can ever turn on its wielder."

"And the obsessed man walks as if with blinders on his eyes, unseeing
of other purposes." Eowith smiled. "We can use him. However, I want him
removed as soon as he is no longer useful. You know the way of it. I 
don't want him leading an army after his purpose is settled."

*************

Ash made it to the remote area of the woods he had arranged. The cold
haze made the stark trees black and sinister, dark eerie creatures 
which faded into the mists.

A clicking sounded from the greyness. [[ Did you get what you came for? ]]
Wyndamenth asked.

+Somewhat,+  Ash replied.  +Now, I need your help. I think that Eowith 
will accept. I need some detailed information on the land that I will be 
fighting on. I want you to go back to Telnor and contact Diemis. I need 
him and his rider to scout out the land between Patka's holdings and
Eowith's. I want to know troop strengths, the land...things might have
changed since I've been here. Have him come here to meet.+

[[ All right Ash, ]]  Wyndamenth replied. [[ Take care of yourself until I 
get back. ]] 

+I always do,+ he signed in reply, then averted his eyes from the 
sudden gust of Wyndamenth's takeoff...

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More when I get back. Happy holidays :)

 

Allen Veazey
wolf@dbtech.net
	
	"I'm not really bad, I'm just drawn that way."
			--Jessica Rabbit